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surprise. “And just what are you supposed to do about that ?”
    We bothlaughed.
    â€œSo what’s on the horizon for you?” I asked casually. She still hadn’t told me what she meant by something to think through . “Do you have another job linedup?”
    â€œNo. I’ve got something far more complicated on my plate: something in the romance department.” She pushed a few strands of hair back from her face. “I need a quiet place to think about it. A beautifully quiet, inspirational place, a place that I cantrust…”
    â€œI can’t imagine how you’ve managed to stay single for so long,” Iventured.
    â€œI’ve sometimes wondered the same of you,” she said abruptly, picking up her wineglass. “You at least got very close—” Then she caught herself and flushed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. You mustthink—”
    â€œI only think it’s wonderful to see you after all theseyears.”
    Just then a moth hit the screen with a loud thud, and Mars sprang to his feet, snarling fiercely. Clare grabbed his collar, and then, crouching down, she began to growl loudly in hisear.
    â€œWhat on earth are you doing?” I asked, takenaback.
    â€œShowing him I’m the alpha dog. It’s a new way—you know, a new technique to get your dog to obeyyou.”
    I had to laugh. Her slender wrists and hands seemed no match for the dog’spower.
    â€œI felt a little silly at first,” she explained, “but Douglas says that I’m to keep at it. Dad, of course, thinks it’s allridiculous.”
    Mars hesitated, submitting to the “new technique” for half a second, but he was clearly in the throes of a forcefulinstinct.
    â€œDo you mind if I try the old-fashioned way?” Clare looked at me doubtfully. “Stay,” I commanded sternly. Mars froze, but remained on his feet. “Stay.” This time I said it in a quieter tone, but stillfirmly.
    Mars immediately satdown.
    Clare looked at me, tilting her head to one side and smiling whimsically. “You know, Douglas is paying all this money to some trainer who’s teaching him how to growl properly. I can’t wait to tell him aboutthis!”
    â€œI was merely protecting my property,” I protested. “Mars looks like he could take that screen out in a singlebound.”
    We both took a few sips of wine. I could tell that she was growing a little edgy—but was she eager to get back to her cottage or reluctant to leave? She wandered over to my desk, her hands lightly touching mychair.
    I stood up and offered to help her open up thecottage.
    â€œAre you sure?” She flashed me a grateful smile. “I hope you don’t think I’m rude. I’d like to stay and chat, but I’m anxious to get organized. I feel bad imposing on you likethis.”
    I walked over to my desk and carefully picked up Marged Brice’s diaries. I felt her eyes following me as I locked them in adrawer.
    â€œI’m not keeping you from something, amI?”
    I assured her that it would keep untiltomorrow.
    â€œThose looked like very old books,” she said as we walked down thesteps.
    I nodded and then smiled—remembering how she’d always wanted to know what Doug and I were up to. He’d teased her mercilessly aboutit.
    â€œDo you mind me asking what they are?” She paused at the bottomstep.
    â€œThey’re diaries.” I kept my expression noncommittal. “They belong to a woman who claims to be one hundred and thirty-four years old, and she’s asked me to readthem.”
    Clare looked at me closely, then she slowly grinned, her eyes sparkling. “I’m not quite as gullible as I used to be, Professor Hellyer. At least that’s one thing that’schanged.”

Five
    â€œI’m sorry, it’s all I have. I’ve still got to get groceries: thank goodness Mum